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Monday, July 9, 2018

Interview with debut romance author Shalini Dua

Author Shalini
Dua is here today and we’re chatting a little bit about her new YA
new adult romantic comedy, The Secret Lives of
Royals.
During her virtual book tour, Shalini will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes
and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be
entered for a chance to win, use the
form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit
her other tour stops and enter there, too.

Bio:

An
international upbringing and a love of stories laid the foundation for
wanderlust. Shalini aspires to spend her time country-hopping and consuming
pop-culture, comedy and good food but the reality is often frantically downing
coffee, meeting deadlines at exactly the last second and working her
unglamorous corporate job to fund all of the other pursuits.

The
Secret Lives of Royals is Shalini’s debut novel. Her other work includes
published poetry and scripts only she has read.

The Secret Lives of Royals is a contemporary fairytale
about a royal secret society. Olivia is trying to make it in the New York
publishing world and she is failing spectacularly. Until, out of the blue, she
is handed her dream job.

As Olivia
steps into the world of New York media, the secrets to her life upgrade are
soon revealed. When Olivia learns of The Circle, a secret society with
membership based on royal blood, she must decide if the cost of her dreams is
worth the price she must pay. Can Olivia handle the weight of the crown?

The Devil
Wears Prada meets The Adjustment Bureau in this YA/New Adult crossover tale.What inspired you to write this book?

The Secret Lives of Royals has been rattling around in my head for years. Inspired by
school history lessons, my travels and wanderlust for places I haven’t yet
managed to visit, and by my love of food and art; Olivia’s story is a
culmination of my journey thus far and the daydreaming I’ve done along the way.
This novel is self-published, so I hope you will look past its raw state and
enjoy the magic in this contemporary fairytale world.

Excerpt from The Secret
Lives of Royals:

We reach a
pair of French doors that lead to the main event and they swing open as we
approach.

“Welcome to
the annual Royal Ball.” Our butler bows as he backs away.

We are greeted
head on by music, lights and the brilliance one only finds at a Royal function.
An usher directs us down a beautiful marble staircase, covered with a deep red
carpet, to the party, which is already in full swing. We begin to descend and I
gaze longingly at the gold banisters which would really help to navigate this
obstacle course, heels on marble and carpet in front of many important people,
as we are being announced.

I’m horrified
and sure my face gives me away as I feel myself give in to my natural instincts
and trip, about to plummet to a social death if just a physical bruising.
Suddenly, I feel a hand around my waist steadying me and hear the announcer
say,

“The irony of
your temperament and your name, Gracie.” He grins at me and winks subtly.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got you. Look ahead, smile, no one noticed.” We glide down
the staircase together, and I feel hot where his fingers are touching my arm.
When we reach the bottom, I make my excuses and insist Sophia accompany me to
somewhere else, anywhere else. But before I can escape, Alex takes my hand,
kisses it and lets me go.

The music
fluctuates between classic Hollywood and jazz styles applied to pop songs from
the last three decades. It takes me a while to realize these are all being
performed by Sheffield and Adeline. I’m at an event where the talent is a
three-time Grammy winner and this year’s most trendy pop star. They are
accompanied by what I’m sure is a very famous orchestra. To say this evening is
surreal would be an understatement and the sensory assault is giving me a
dizzying out of body experience. Connor introduces me to a lot of people I
apparently should be knowing. However, I’m a little distracted, drinking it all
in, and don’t get a lot of what he is telling me.

The most
delectable hors d'oeuvres are passed, and I’m enjoying sampling all of them
until I almost gag when Sophia says,

“The escargot
is divine isn’t it?” and unintentionally informs me that I have just eaten a
snail. Right, forgot I’m in France. Unfortunately, Alex chooses that moment to
walk over, and I’m gagging as he is trying to get my attention.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I’m working
on the follow-up to The Secret Lives of
Royals, a new
novel about a circus and a book of poetry.When
did you first consider yourself a writer?

When, after
graduation while working in finance, I couldn’t bring myself to stop writing,
even though there was no assignment, no deadline and no impetus for the work.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what
do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I work in
marketing and content production from 9-5 and I’m a writer 5-9. My day job does
involve some copywriting work for a variety of clients. I have to make time to
write. It’s very important to me so I have to really commit to it.What would you say is your interesting
writing quirk?

I doodle on
myself, giving myself temporary tattoos, when I write.

As a child,
what did you want to be when you grew up?

A singer –
quickly realized that would never happen as I do not possess even the remote
ability to sing.

Thanks so much for this tour and the opportunity to find out about another great book my family can read. We have a list now and it keeps growing with so many loving to read. Thanks also for the giveaway!

I'm listed!

Blog Tour Partner - Goddess Fish

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About Me

I'm a NH native and love New England. I love writing about the region, exploring it on foot, on my bicycle, and in my car. There are so many small communities and fun and interesting people in this area, that I could be here a lifetime and not do all it is I want to do. :)

I'm a moderator at The Writer's Chatroom that hosts live chats with guest authors on Sunday nights 7-9PM EST. Join the e-mail list to get notifications of upcoming guests, then stop in and join the conversation!